Olfactory Dysfunction as a Marker for Essential Hypertension in a Drug-Naive Adult Population: A Hospital-Based Study

Background and objective: Essential hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity worldwide, but its precise etiology remains unclear. Although its prevalence is high, there is no established predictor for the condition at an early age. Recent research has suggested that olfactory function may be associated with blood pressure regulation. This study sought to explore the association between olfactory function and essential hypertension. Methods: Thirty middle-aged volunteers of both sexes with essential hypertension were recruited for the study along with 30 healthy control subjects matched for age and demographic characteristics. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire and then underwent olfactory function tests to assess odor threshold and identification using the Indian Smell Identification Test (InSIT). The researchers calculated a combined threshold-identification score for both groups and performed the statistical analysis. Results: The study group showed significant olfactory scores in comparison to the control group participants. Control group showed a significantly higher mean combined olfactory score than the study population (p = 0.03). Significant negative correlation between systolic blood pressure and olfactory function (Pearson’s coefficient = -0.329, p = 0.011) and a similar significant negative correlation between diastolic blood pressure and olfactory function (Pearson’s coefficient = -0.252, p = 0.052) were the other observations. Gender differences did not account for any difference in the smell sense. Conclusions: There may be a connection between olfactory function and blood pressure regulation in individuals with essential hypertension. However, further research is needed to better understand this association and to determine whether olfactory function could be used as a predictor or marker for hypertension.